Rotatable louvered window wall



Feb. 2, 1960 J. MUHR ROTATABLE LOUVERED wmoow WALL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 5, 1957 INVENTOR.

J OH N MUHR ROTAIABLE. LOUVERED WINDOW WALL John Muhr, Miami, Fla.

Applicationi March 5, 1957, Serial No. 644,129 3 Claims. c1.v -40):

Thisinvention' pertains'to wall panels suitable for use in a building, particularly aventilatable room-high rotatable louveredwindow wall, adapted foruse as an integral partof the wallstructure of aresidential' or. commercialbuilding.

Large fioor-t'o-ceiling viewing areas. are in wide use. in the walls of present day buildings. Generally such viewing areas. are glassed' in, either by one large pane of glass of singleor double thickness or by. a'multiplicity of smaller panes of glass. If venting-of the. viewing area is desired, one 'or. more of. the panes of glass are con: structed to be opened and closed'to permit the admission of air-therethrough. Suchan arrangement has the dis: advantage of rigidly fixed movement of the pane, thus restricting full adjustment of the opening (or openings) in theviewing area in relation to the directionrof the wind and weather and thus interfering wtih air flow through the opening.

Inorder to more: effectively ventilate a building and yet permitclosing' the viewingxarea against windand weather, I have invented'awindow wallwhich comprises a'plurality of louvers arranged within a circular frame which is adapted tobefreely rotatable in either direction a full 360; Thelouvers and their circular frame rotate within a circular track'iin an outer'rectangular panel forming an integral section of the wallstructure. The louvers are preferably similar. to each other and lie parallel to each other. They are adapted tobe opened and closed as a unitby a single mechanism mounted within and rotatable with the circular window frame. To'properly ventilate a building, it is mostimportant to catch and divert into the building as large a volume of air as is possible. By rot'ating mywindow wall and turningthe opened louvers into the wind, a far larger volume of air is diverted into the building than if the louvers were stationary.

The louvers preferably. comprise a four sided metal frame surrounding a double glazed window consisting of two parallel panes of glass separated by a dead air space to provide effective insulation of the window unit when" the louvers arein closed position. In their closed positon, the parallel edges of adjacent louvers inter-engage to provide an efficient double weather seal. The

louvers are each hingedly connected preferably at three points to the circular window frame and inter-connected to each other by suitable linkage to remain in parallel relation at all times. If desired, each louver may include .a roller shade integral; with the louver frame.

center of the window unit. When the louvers are closed,

the linkage controlling the louvers is folded out of sight wall (rectangular frame, panels, track, circular frame, louvers and. louver operating mechanism) may be ata plurality of roller bearings, within a circular track whichin turn. is mounted within an outer rectangular frame. A plurality of panels, normally each consisting of twoouter layers and aninner layer providing two parallel-- dead air spaces for insulation, are mounted in the spaces between the. circular track and the rectangular frame.- The frame. is constructed so that the entire rotary window tachedwithout the use of" bolts or rivets as a unit into alarge wallopening in'a building. My invention is thus adaptedto be mass produced as a complete wall or window section easily mounted within a building opening posisble" to attach rotary window walls and other formsofwall panelsto the'masonry covers and to each other so. asto' arrange one or more of my window walls and/or one or more intermediary wallpanels or spacer units between the'column members of a multi-story building and thereby eliminate the necessity for conventional. wall structures between the; columns and the windows of the building;

Inorder toprovide proper insulation as well as a simplified means of assembling panels, that is, either the triangular-shaped outer panels of the rotary window wall unit or the largerectangular intermediatewall' panels, the panels have interconnected inner and outer frame members each provided with a row of aligned hollow projections designed to be interleaved .with each other. A frame locking pin passes through the aligned hollow portions'of the interleaved projections to interconnectthe inner and outer frame members together. Both inner and outer frame members also have interleaved slots for holding one edge ofan intermediate insulating panel in place. This insulating panel is interposed between the two outer metal panels to form two parallel deadair spaces. The intermediate panel is preferably made of wood, pulp or fiber materials and may have one or both its surfaces coated with a layer of highly reflective ma,- terial such as aluminum foil or paint. The frame locking pin is preferably of insulating material to break the metal-to-metal contact from outside to inside in order to enhance the insulating feature of the panel.

It is an object of my invention to provide a novel louvered window wall arrangement for a building.

A further object is to provide a prefabricated wall panel for a building, said wall panel having a rotatable circular window unit within said panel.

Another object is to provide a novel mechanism for opening and closing a plurality of window louvers.

A further object is an arrangement of window louvers especially adapted for ventilating a building.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel easily assembled, insulated wall panel arrangement for use between the vertical columns of a building.

The foregoing and further objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof. The full scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended Patented Feb, 2, 1966 claims rather than by the following description and attached drawings, which are merely illustrative, and in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a wall section made up of a pair of rotary window walls and a plurality of spacer panels;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal Fig. 1;

section through line 2- 2 in Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing the preferred mechanism for opening and closing the louvers in the window unit;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross section of the opening and closing mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detailed partial view taken from Fig. 6

showing the interleaved projections of .the inner and,

outer frame members; and a Fig. 6 is a cross sectional plan view of an intermediate panel between two concrete covered columns.

- Fig. 1 illustrates a portion of a wall comprising a pair of similar rotary window walls 10 and 11 and a plurality full 360 arc to any position by the use of convenient hand rail 24 which is attached to frame 22.

Each louver 25, except for being individually shaped to fit within frame 22, is similarly constructed and comprises double panes of glass 45 and 46 enclosed within an outer louver frame 47, preferably made of aluminum or rigid plastic material. The upper and lower horizontal portions 48 and 49 respectively of frame 47 as shown in Fig. 3, may be constructed to accommodate a roller shape (not shown) in order to provide shading as necessary for the louvers in either their closed or open posiof spacer panels 13, 14 and 15. The louvers in window wall 10 are in a horizontal position while those in window wall'll'have been rotated into a vertical position. As shown in Fig. 2, each of the rotary window walls has a rectangular outer frame comprising an inner frame member 17 and an outer frame member 18. The rotary window wall also has a circular track 20 mounted within the frame, a plurality of sheet or panel members 21 filling tion. Each louver is hingedly mounted by means of spring-loaded hinges 50 on the circular frame 22 and at the center to the U column. The parallel upper and lower portions of each louver, as well as the louverengaging edges of frame 22, preferably include double in the spaces between the frame and track 20, a circular V inner frame 22 rotatably mounted within said track 20, an annular hand rail 24 attached to and extending outwardly from circular frame 22, a plurality of louvers 25 hingedly mounted within said frame 22, a hand wheel 26 mounted centrally of said frame 22, and mechanism not shown in Fig. l but contained within a U-shaped column housing 28 for effecting the opening and closing of louvers 25 by operation of hand wheel 26.

Fig. 2 shows a number of significant features of my invention. The inner and outer frame members 17 and 18 are preferably extruded aluminum sections for lightness, rigidity and economy. Each of members 17 and 18 is provided with a row of spaced apart, aligned hollow projections designed to be interleaved with the corresponding projections on the other frame member. Preferably the projections are generally cubical in form with aligned square holes therein designed to accommodate a frame locking pin 30 which may be made of insulating material. The window wall is secured to the building without the use of bolts or rivets, but with a layer of plastic weather-proof cement between the window wall and the member to whichit is attached, which may be the projection of a column cover or an intermediate panel constructed as panel 13 shown in Fig. 2.

An outer flange 18a, attached by screws to outer frame member 18, is adapted to fit into the recess in the frame of the outer member 31 of intermediate panel 13. Panel .13 also includes a rigid panel core 32 made of hardboard or the like and an inner panel member 33 which, like mem- -ber 31, may be made of aluminum or for interior decor, any suitable material. The window wall is attached to panel 13 by first applying a layer of plastic cement 35 to the adjoining surfaces of the two members, then fitting the two members together and then fastening flange 18a by means of screws 36 to the frame member 18' of the window wall. This effects a U type clamping action of the window wall over the outer edge of panel 13.

The circular track 20 on which the window unit (that is, the circular frame 22, louvers 25, etc.) rotates is made of extruded aluminum sections and the spaces between the outer rectangular frame 18 and the track 20 is filled by a plurality of spacer panels, preferably in three layers 37, 38 and 39 of opaque glass or plastic. to provide two parallel dead air spaces as an effective weather insulation.

Anti-friction rotary frame gaskets 4t) and 41 may be seals 52 made of a suitable resilient material such as rubber to seal the louvers and frame together into a single unit when the louvers are in closed position.

Turning now to Figs. 3 and 4, the novel louver operating mechanism is shown in detail. A hollow U-shaped columnar housing 28 runs diametrically across frame 22 in a direction normal to the extent of the louvers. The ends of housing 28 are rigidly affixed to frame 22. A hand wheel 26 is mounted on one end of a shaft which is rotatably mounted on a bracket 54 which in turn is afiixed to housing 28. A gear 55 is mounted on the other end of the hand wheel shaft and a pair of similar upper and lower gears 56 and 57 are affixed to the ends of a pair of similar gear rods 60 and 61 and meshed with gear 55. Rods 60 and 61 are oppositely threaded and mounted for rotation within a plurality of brackets such as 62 and 63.

A plurality of internally threaded fittings 65 are mounted on gear rods 60 and 61. Each fitting 65 includes a flange 65a to which is hingedly attached one end of each of a pair of links 66, the opposite ends of links 66 being hingedly attached to a pin 67. A second pair of links 68 have one end hingedly attached to said pin 67 and the other end connected to a pair of pins 69 aflixed to the inside of housing 28. The ends of a third pair of links 70 are also hingedly attached to pin 67 and the other ends of links 70 are hingedly connected to one of louvers 25. A suitable spring (not shown), mounted about pin 67 and operating to force links 68 and 70 apart, may be used if desired.

To open louvers 25 when they are in closed position, hand wheel 26 is manually rotated to turn gears 55, 56

and 57. This rotates gear rods 60 and 61 and causes fitting 65 and its flange 65a to move upwardly on the gear rods. The upward movement of flange 65a lifts links 66 and pin 67. As pin 67 moves upwardly links 68 and 70 are moved upwardly and outwardly, thereby moving louvers 25 outwardly to their open position assisted by spring-loaded hinges 50. The word upwardly is used on the premise that the louvers are in horizontal position as in window wall 10 shown in Fig. l. The window unit may then be rotated by hand rail 24 to a position where the open louvers catch and deflect the prevailing breeze into the building.

The three-layer panel construction previously described in relation to the outer triangular-shaped sections and the outer frame of the window wall may also be used in the construction of intermediate or spacer panels such as 13, 14 and 15. Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a novel form of GQnstruction of a panel lying intermediate between the cast concrete coverings of two adjacent building columns. In Fig. 6 the projections of two adjacent concrete column covers are shown as 72 and 73 and the panel extending between column projections 72 and 73 is shown generally as 74. Panel 74- is constructed to provide effective insulation even though most of the panel is made of aluminum or other suitable metal which has high thermal conductivity.

Panel '74 includes outer and inner metal skins or panel members 76 and 77 which are riveted or spotwelded to outer and inner metal frame members 78 and 79 respectively. Frame members 78 and '79 are interconnected by interleaved projections, similar in construction to the interleaved projections of frame members 17 and 18 previously described, which separate metallic contact between the inner and outer frame members to prevent high thermal conductivity between the members.

This interleaved construction is shown in detail in Fig. 5 which is a detailed view along lines 55 of Fig. 6. The generally cubical, intermeshing projections 78a and 79a of frame members '78 and 79 respectively contain similar aligned square holes. When the projections are properly interleaved, as shown in Fig. 5, a plastic locking pin 80 is inserted through the aligned holes in the projections to interlock the frame members, leaving an air gap between the members to reduce the heat transfer therebetween.

Each projection 78a and 79a includes a pair of flanges adapted to hold a center panel 82 in place between panels 76 and '77. This center panelmay be constructed of asbsetos, cement, hardboard or other suitable insulating material. It preferably has its sides movered with some heat reflective foil or coating. The spaces between the inner and outer metal panels and the center panel may be left empty or filled with rock wool or the like depending on the insulating characteristics desired. In those instances where the size of panel 74 is large, so that intermediate support is required between one edge and the other of the panel, an interior frame member construction similar to that of frame members 78 and 79 may be used.

I claim: I

1. In a rotatable window assembly comprising a stationary circular track and circular frame means defining a circular window opening mounted rotatably within said track, an elongate housing extending diametrically across said opening and secured at diametrically opposite ends to said frame means, a plurality of louvers arranged in adjacent relation within said opening transversely of said housing, said louvers being connected pivotally to said housing and to said frame means for rotation about an axis transverse to said housing substantially in the plane of said window opening, and operating means for pivoting said louvers in unison into and out of the plane of said opening, said operating means including a first beveled gear, an operator member supporting said gear centrally in said housing for manual rotation about an axis coaxial with said circular track, a pair of oppositely threaded shafts extending longitudinally and oppositely within said housing from said beveled gear, means supporting said shafts coaxially for rotation in said housing, a pair of second beveled gears, there being one secured to one end of each said shaft adjacent to and meshing .with said first beveled gear, said beveled gears cooperating upon rotation of said operator member to rotate said threaded shafts oppositely, a plurality of fittings threadedly engaging said threaded shafts in mutually spaced relation, a plurality of linkages, there being one linkage connected between each louver and one of said fittings, said fittings and the linkages attached thereto being effective upon rotation of said threaded shafts to pivot said louvers in unison in said opening.

2. A rotary window assembly according to claim 1 wherein the louvers are spaced a distance corresponding to the width thereof and are provided with interengaging means along the side margins thereof and with means at the ends thereof mating with said frame means, said louvers upon being pivoted to positions coplanar with said opening interengaging one with another along their side margins and mating with said frame means so as to close said opening.

3. A rotary window assembly according to claim 1 wherein said frame means includes a continuous circular hand rail projecting laterally therefrom providing a continuous handle for manual rotation of said window.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 925,294 Chleborad June 15, 1909 1,619,167 Tuomi Mar. 1, 1927 1,707,101 Taylor Mar. 26, 1929 2,593,891 Kenney Apr. 22, 1952 2,610,371 Hite Sept. 16, 1952 2,704,207 Howard Mar. 15, 1955 2,736,399 Spencer Feb. 28, 1956 

